17-04-2024, 09:36 AM
Myanmar’s Mothers Describe Agony as Embattled Junta Snatches Sons for Military Service
Daw Khin Myint trembles with emotion as she describes young men lined up at No.1 Advanced Military Training School in Yangon’s Taikkyi Township beneath a banner reading “We welcome good citizens of the country to serve in military.”
Her son was in the queue of individuals aged 18-35 called up for mandatory service. New draftees were forcibly recruited under a newly activated conscription law that covers millions of male and female citizens.
Conscription nightmare haunting parents across country has come true for Daw Khin Myint, who like other mothers cried everyday since her son was forcibly enlisted. “I even wanted to kill myself [than seeing my son drafted],” Daw Khin Myint said, her voice cracking with emotion.
She said the day the ward administrator informed her that her 27-year-old son, who had been working to support his parents, was on military service list was the saddest of her life. “I don’t agree with this. They are doing it against our wishes,” she said, if serves in military, he will probably be killed.”
Military officials took her son for a medical checkup on March 27, saying he would be sent back home after a blood test. Instead, like others he was transported straight to No. 1 Advanced Military Training School.
On discovering that her son was in the first batch of military training scheduled for the opening week of April, the heat of summer paled in comparison to her inner torment.
“I was worried. I can’t eat or sleep,” Daw Khin Myint told the Irrawaddy through tears.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/features/myanm...rvice.html
Daw Khin Myint trembles with emotion as she describes young men lined up at No.1 Advanced Military Training School in Yangon’s Taikkyi Township beneath a banner reading “We welcome good citizens of the country to serve in military.”
Her son was in the queue of individuals aged 18-35 called up for mandatory service. New draftees were forcibly recruited under a newly activated conscription law that covers millions of male and female citizens.
Conscription nightmare haunting parents across country has come true for Daw Khin Myint, who like other mothers cried everyday since her son was forcibly enlisted. “I even wanted to kill myself [than seeing my son drafted],” Daw Khin Myint said, her voice cracking with emotion.
She said the day the ward administrator informed her that her 27-year-old son, who had been working to support his parents, was on military service list was the saddest of her life. “I don’t agree with this. They are doing it against our wishes,” she said, if serves in military, he will probably be killed.”
Military officials took her son for a medical checkup on March 27, saying he would be sent back home after a blood test. Instead, like others he was transported straight to No. 1 Advanced Military Training School.
On discovering that her son was in the first batch of military training scheduled for the opening week of April, the heat of summer paled in comparison to her inner torment.
“I was worried. I can’t eat or sleep,” Daw Khin Myint told the Irrawaddy through tears.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/features/myanm...rvice.html